What Trump may be thinking on Israeli-Palestinian peace

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

“Trump’s comments are the consequence, not the source of the problems that have enfeebled the two-state option. Such disenchantment is the price we all are paying for the failure to leverage unprecedented support for such an outcome with a forceful international commitment to realise it on the ground,” writes Geoffrey Aronson.

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham will reintroduce legislation next week that would cut US funding to the Palestinian Authority if it continues to provide monetary support to the families of those who commit acts of terror against Israelis and others.

Peace process

“While it may be true that the Hashemite government is pragmatic enough to keep contact and security cooperation with Israel even during controversial times, they also understand their people,” writes Jonah Naghi. “They know it will be difficult to encourage public and diplomatic support with Israel while there is little progress on a two-state solution and Israel is continuing to build settlements. That being said, it will be difficult for Israeli-Jordanian security cooperation to be as thorough as it can and needs to be.”

Israeli politics

“If Netanyahu were really and truly interested in making progress with the Palestinians and reaching a historic agreement with them, he would bring Herzog into his government and try to advance a regional peace process at the very least. Instead, he chooses to have Liberman by his side,” writes Mazal Mualem.

Gaza

“Israel needs an intelligent policy on Gaza that takes into account the fact that the people of Gaza will always be our neighbors, they are not going into the sea and they are not going to disappear,” writes Gershon Baskin.